Relationship between age and body weight on some linear body measurement of white bornu goats reared under semi-intensive system in a southern Nigeria environment

Abstract

Studies on the effect of age on body weight parameters of twelve White Bornu (WB) goats were carried out to determine whether age affects their rate of growth (weight gain). Data were collected on weekly basis for three (3) months. Parameters measured include distance between eyes, ear length, ear width and length, tail, and body weight. The results of this study showed that age has effect on body parameters measured and that growth was fast between 0.5 to 1 years old and dropped between 1½ to 2 years of age.

Key words: Age, body weight, goats, growth parameters